"ALFRED G. THOMAS, farmer and stock-grower, Sugar Creek township, P. O. Macksville, was born May 16, 1824, in Hardin county, Ky., and is a son of Isaac and Mary (Watts) Thomas, natives of Kentucky and of Welsh and Irish descent, former of whom was a tanner and farmer. They came to this county November 16, 1829. The family consisted of eight daughters and five sons, Alfred G. being the third son. He was reared in this county, where he obtained his schooling, and spent his childhood and youth on the farm. Our subject is a regular graduate of the old-fashioned log school-house, and the school which he attended for a time then stood where Centerville now is. There his father farmed and carried on a tanyard for years, but his parents subsequently moved to Harrison township, this county, where Alfred G. also attended school.

He learned the cooper's trade, which he followed for about thirty years in Harrison township. In 1875 he bought a farm; since when he has devoted most of his time to farming and stock growing. He is now the owner of a well-improved farm in Sugar Creek township, where he resides. . . .

He has been twice married, the first time to Miss Martha, daughter of Joseph Giesham, and of German descent. Of this union there were six children (five now living): Alva Curtis, Charles, H.F., Mary (wife of G.W. Shank), Ralph L., Nellie (wife of William Murphy).

Martha Thomas died in 1867, and Mr. Thomas married in 1868, the widow of D.S. Jenks. They have two children: William B. Jenks, and Olive (married M.A. Murphy). Mrs. Thomas is the daughter of Edward and Martha (Meadows) Braden, and of German descent. She is a member of the Methodist Church; Mr. Thomas of the Baptist and in politics, a Republican.

He is a grandson of General John Thomas, a general in the War of 1812, and who has nine sons, all of whom were soldiers in that war. . . ."